FINAL BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6289

                                   C 57 L 92

                              SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Requiring agencies to accept fax and phone comments at rule‑making hearings.

SPONSORS: Senators Bauer, Sellar, Gaspard, Newhouse, Sutherland, Snyder, Owen, Madsen, McMullen, Vognild and Rasmussen

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

BACKGROUND:

There is no specific provision in the Administrative Procedure Act for transmitting comments by electronic media for a rule-making hearing.

SUMMARY:

An agency may include in its rule adoption notice the fact that interested parties may comment on proposed rules by telefacsimile or recorded telephonic communications if appropriate equipment is available.

The notice must contain instructions for such comments, including appropriate telephone numbers, the time by which comments must be received, methods for verifying receipt and authenticity of the comments, and any limitation on the number of pages allowed.  If the comments conform to the agency's instructions, they may be included in the official record.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate      45    0

House 95    0     (House amended)

Senate      46    0     (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:  June 11, 1992